Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-09-22
SENATOR TOM BOWEN
Something: About the Centennial States
Most Successful Politician.

SsNAvOh IOM 6OW6N
Something: About the Centennial States
Most Successful Politician.
When the Washington correspond
ants max, up their annual list of mill
ionaire Senator'S. they usually put
Hon. Tom Bowen. of this State, down
Tor from IS. 600. 600 to 10000. 600.
Last winter they got him up to $l2.-
BOO. 900; and when the Senator met a
Colorado friend and was asked about
it, he replied: Isn't that a joker
Lend me fifty dollars. will your
If Bowen realizes his expectations in
the San Juan country, he will be com.
fortably fixed for life; but just at pres
emit he is in the financial condition 50
common in this part of the world-he
is mine poor. The man walked into
San Juan a few years ago-.ramped
his way. like any other dead-broke
fortune-hunter. He had been on the
losing side Of the Brooks and Baxter
war for the control of the Arkansas
State Government at Little Rock. and
when he got here his finances had
reached their lowest ebb But he had
the vo,e-getting gift. and it wasn't
long before he was sitting on the bench
and dispensing justice at Leadville.
Alamosa and one or two other places
which comprised his circuit.
Bo wen's political methods are his
own. He doesn't 60 about with the
boys whooping up things. but he picks
his friends with rare discrimination.
and they stand by him with unyielding
loyalty. Colorado lawyers who prac-
ticed in his court say that. as judge.
Bowen was sometimes picturesque.
but that he dealt a plain, COM
nonsense kind of justice. Perhaps
the most notable incident of his judicial
career was the contest OF the Santa Fe
and RIO Grande railroads for the right
of way through Grand Canyon. just
above Canyon City. The case was
tried at Alamosa. and was attended
with good deal of feeling. Bowen
decided against the Santa Fe. and the
next morning there appeared i'm Dem
vrrpaper a dispatch announcing the de-
cision. and with it the insin uation that
the court had been corrupted. When the
paper reac he'd Alamosa Bowen replied
to it from the bench. and made the
oratorical effort of his life. Fragments
of that speech have been preserved.
and when Bowen and his
strange career are subjects of
conversation, some one is pretty sure
to quote from memory sentence or
two of that remarkable TRADE. Per-
haps the most striking portion was
that in which. referring to the dispatch
and its author. Bowen said: THE
helrt that conceived it was as bleak,
barren and verdureless of truth as
III, lava beds of hell"
Oaly intimate friends know that
Bowen is a great lover of poetry. and
that his favorite is Byron. FIR ON that
au hor he can quote by the hour.
His interests here consist of gold
mine. in which very beautiful rich ore
is found in pockets. 1t is doubtful if
he makes much out of it, for he hasn't
the capital TO work it on a large scale.
His idea has always been to sell the
mine. and last winter he thought
he had found purchaser. There
was no trouble about the price.
$150.O0O or the terms. ':Now," said
tho Senator to an intimate friend. Il
can invest that money where it will
yield me a sure, steady income. on
which can live comfortably" Then
Inc spoke of his aspirations for another
term in the Senate, and expressed the
belief that if he got back he would be
able TO accomplish something not to be
ashamed Of
But while the Senator was indulg-
ing in the dream of being able 10 re-
alize the aim of his life, the capitalist
who was putting in the bulk of his
fortune to buy this mine was suddenly
afflicted with failing sight. Physi-
clans told him there was no hope OF
recovery. The bargain had progressed
SD ldr tIldJ Iuc uucStlOu VI lc'cdoo lay
with the Senator. The capitalist went
to him and told him the circumstances.
Bowen listened. and said quietly:
would you rather you had not made
this trader" The buyer replied that
since he found himself in such help
less condition he did not believe it
would be wise to enter upon the en-
terprisc. "Vcry WELL" replied Bow
en-. '.here are your securities" and he
handed back the papers without
another word.
Senator Bowen still has the mine.
He works it enough to strike occasion.
al pockets. and when he gets any
thing particularly good he saws the
stuff into slabs and enriches the speci-
men cabinets of admiring friends. -
San Juan (Col) Cor: 81. Louis Globe
Democrat.
The Term Amateur.